Refrigerating apparatus



Cbmpress or.

To al lchbn sr'd'e I advent Edward T mlllb'ms Mr E3 15 E T WILLIAMSREFRIGERATING APPARATUS Ongmal Flled July 11, 1925 April 1, 1930.

51am Condenser and Compressor.

Reissued Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT. 'UOFFICE EDWARD T. WILLIAMS,PELHAM MANOR, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FEDDERS MANU- FACTURING COMPANY,INC., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK REFRIGERATINGAPPARATUS Original No. 1,845,314, dated October 11, 1927, Serial No.42,866, filed July 11, 1925. Application for reissue filed April 22,1929.

In some refrigerating systems lubricant from the interior of thecompressor: passes through the condenser into the expansion chamber,and, if allowed to accumulate therein, seriously impairs the eflicie'ncyof the apparatus. In so-called flooded systems, in which a body ofliquid refrigerant is main- 7 tained in the expansion chamber of coils,it

has been proposed to use a lubricant which is lighterthan the liquidrefrigerant, so that it Wlll float on the latter, but if allowed toaccumulate thereon it interferes with the op-' erationof the float valvewhich is intended to keep the liquid refrigerant constant in volume. Ihave accordingly been led to devise my present invention, which has forits object to provide simple but thorou hly effective means for removingthe lu ricant. To this and other ends the invention consists in thenovel features and combinations hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates the preferred form of my invention in verticalsection.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional plan view.

In the system illustrated, the expansion coils 10 receive liquidrefrigerant from a chamber 11 which in turn receives liquid refrigerantthrough pipe 12 from the condenser and compressor, not shown. The outletof the refrigerant su' ply pipe 12 is controlled by a valve 13 which isitself operated by a float 14, in the usual manner, to maintain aconstant liquid-level in the chamber, as will readily be understood. Asthe refrigerant is evaporated, the vapor collects in the chamber 11 andis led back to the suction or low pressure side of the compressor by apipe 15.

If the lubricant passing to the chamber 11 and floating on therefrigerant therein is not removed it will, since it is non-volatile,dislace more or less of the refrigerant, thus 1m airing the efliciencyof the apparatus as.

we 1 as robbing the compressor of lubricant. In accordance with mypresent invention I revent this accumulation, by removing theubricant-as fast as it enters the chamber. For this purpose I provide afloatin skimmer, light enough to float in the refrigerant Serial No.357,255.

but too heavy to float in the lubricant. In its preferred open-toppedvessel of triangular form 16, plvoted at one end, near its bottom, andhav- 1ng an arm 17 carrying an adjustable weight 18 by which thebuoyancy of the chamber can be regulated as desired. The pipe 15 isextended into the skimmer to a point near its bottom, as shown.

As before stated, the float 14 maintains the surface of the liquid at aconstant height. If a part of the liquid is a floating layer of oil, itis clear that as the oil increases in depth, the surface of therefrigerant descends. But as the refrigerant level falls, the buoyanteffect on the skimmer is decreased. As a result the latter swings downwith the result that the floating oil pours over its edge, and,submerging the intake orifice of pipe 15, is sucked back to thecompressor. The draining of the floating oil or other lubricant into theskimmer lowers the liquid level in chamber 11, whereupon the float 14falls, admitting liquid refrigerant until the latter rises high enoughto raise the skimmer out of the remaining layer or film of oil. If, atthis stage, the float 14 has not risen far enough to close valve 13, therefrigerant in the chamber will continue to rise until valve 13 isclosed, but at no time can refrigerant overflow into the skimmer in anymaterial amount since the skimmer always floats with its edge slightlyabove the surface of the refrigerant. On the other hand, a slightincrease in the thickness of the lubricant layer will cause the latterto overflow into the skimmer and be sucked back to the compressor. Henceform the skimmer 1s a narrow,

be provided to limit the upward swing of the skimmer, preferablyso'located as to arrest .the skimmer at the moment the float valvecloses. This prevents the' skimmer from ever rising too high to receivefloating lubricant and hence insures that. the latter cannot accumulateunduly.

As previousl related, the refrigerant vapor collects a ove therefrigerant level in the evaporator or chamber 11 and is sucked back tothe compressor throu h the pipe 15,

and it therefore is apparent t at refrigerant in moving to the pipe 15must first move down into the open-topped vessel 16. This vessel, inaddition to collecting and controlling the oil in the evaporator, alsoprovides a shielded zone around the open end of the outlet pipe. Thus, acircuitous route, partially through a zone shielded from free liquidrefrigerant particles suspended in the evaporator, is traveled byrefrigerant when' v in other forms without departing from its spirit. a

1. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, the combination'with achamber for liquid refrigerant, and means for maintaining a constantliquid level therein, of a skimmer floating in the liquid refrigerant toreceive lubricant floating on the refrigerant, and means for removingthe lubricant from the skimmer, and delivering the same to thecompressor.

2. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, the combination with achamber for liquid refrigerant, and means for maintaining a constantliquid level therein, of a pivoted skimmer floating in the refrigerantto 40 receive lubricant from the surface of the refrigerant, and meansfor removing the lubricant from the skimmer, and delivering the same tothe compressor.

3. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, the combination with achamber for liquid refrigerantgmd means for maintaining a constantliquid level therein, of a floating skimmer in the chamber, to receivelubricant from the surface of the refrigerant, the skimmer being heavierthan the lubricant but lighter than the refrigerant, and means forremoving the lubricant from the skimmer and evaporated refrigerant fromthe chamber and delivering both to the compressor.

4. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, the combination witha'chamber for liquid refri erant, of a floating open-topped vessel forshimming lubricant from the surface of the refri erant, said vesselbeing lighter than the re? the lubricant, and means for removing thelubricant from the vessel, and delivering the same to the compressor.

5. In a refrigerating system, the combina- 05 tion with a chamber forliquid refrigerant, of

a pipe extending into the vessel adjacent to the rigerant but heavierthan means for removing lubricant from the surface of the refrigerant,comprising an opentopped vessel adapted to float with its edge above thesurface of therefrigerant, but too heavy to float in the lubricant, anda suction bottom thereof for Withdrawing lubricant therefroml 6. In arefrigerating system having a compressor, the combination with a chamberfor liquid refrigerant, and means for maintaining a constant liquidlevel therein, of a skim mer floating in the liquid refrigerant to re--ceive lubricant floating on the refrigerant, and means for conductingthe lubricant from the skimmer. Y

7 In a refrigerating system having a compressor, the combination with achamber for liquid refrigerant, and means for maintaining aconstantliquid level therein, of a pivoted skimmer floatm in therefrigerantto receive lubricant from t e surface of the refrigerant, andoutlet means for permittingremoval .of the lubricant from the skimmer.

8. In a refrigerating system having a com-- pressor, the combinationwith a chamber for liquid refrigerant, and means for maintaining aconstant liquid level therein, ofa floating skimmer in the chamber, toreceive lubricant from the surface of the refrigerant, the skimmer beingheavier than the lubricant but lighter than the refrigerant, and meansfor conducting the lubricant from the skimmer.

9. In a refrigerating system ,of the compressor-condenser-evaporatortype through which oil and refrigerant of different specific gravitiestravel in cycle, the method of controlling the relation of the oil andrefrigerant in their travel through the low pressure side of the system,comprising admitting oil and refrigerant in a definite proportion into asingle accumulation in the evaporator to maintain a substantiallyconstant quantity therein, collecting oil from the accumulation in thesame proportion as admitted, and returning to the compressor thegasefiedrefrigerant together with the collected oil to maintain constant amountsof refrigerant and oil in said accumulation.

10. In a refrigerating system of the compressor-condenser-evaporatortype through which a body of refrigerant and oil, of lower specificgravity than said refrigerant, travels in cycle, the method ofcontrolling the relation of the refrigerant and oil within theevaporator which comprises admitting to the evaporator sufficient oiland refrigerant to maintain substantially constant the liquid quantitytherein, and removing oil from the evaporator by suction as required tomaintain a substantially constant quantity of oil and refrigerant in theevaporator.

11. In a refrigerating system of the compressor-conden'ser-evaporatortype through WhlCh 011 and refrigerant of different specific 1 gravitiestravel in cycle, the method of controlling the relation of the oil andrefrigerant in their travel through the low pressure side of thesystem,comprising automatically ad- 'mitting oil and refrigerant intothe evaporator as required to maintain a constant quantity of liquidrefrigerant 'therein, and automatically removing oil as it accumulatesabove the level of the refrigerant and gasified refrigerant from theevaporator.

12. In a refrigerating system of the compressor-condenser-evaporatortype through which oil and refrigerant of different specific gravitiestravel in' cycle, the method of controlling the relation of the oil andthe refrigerant in their travel through the loW pressure side of thesystem, comprising admitting oil and refrigerant into a singleaccumulation in the evaporator as required to maintain a constantquantity of liquid refrigerant therein, gathering oil rising above therefrigerant level Within the evaporator, and removing the gathered oiland gasifie refrigerant from the evaporator.

V 13. In a mechanical refrigerating system of thecompressor-condenser-evaporator type through which oil and refrigeranttravel in cycle, the method of controlling the passage of the oil andthe refrigerant in their travel through the low pressure side of thesystem, comprising admitting oil and refrigerant into a singleaccumulation in the evaporator to maintain a substantially constantquantity therein, collecting free liquid refrigerant and oil from theaccumulation, and removing from the evaporator collected oil andgasified refrigerant. I

14. In a mechanical refrigerating system, a fluid circulating withinuthesystem composed of liquid refrigerant and oil of rela tivelydifi'erentspecific gravities and adapt ed to separate by gravity, anevaporatorhaving an inlet and adapted to retain an accumuinlet means and adaptedto retain an accumulation of liquid refrigerant and oil, automatic meansfor admitting refrigerant and oil to the evaporator to maintainsubstantially constant the level of the refrigerant Within theevaporator, means in the evaporator for collecting oil rising above theaccumulation level,

and means for removing the collected oil and gasified refrigerant fromthe evaporator.

16. In mechanical refrigerating systems, a fluid circulating within thesystem comprising liquid refrigerant and oil of relatively differentspecific gravities and adapted to separate by gravity, an evaporatorhaving an inlet and adapted to retain an accumulation of refrigerant andoil, automatic control means for admitting the refrigerant and oil tothe evaporator to maintain substantially constant the level of therefrigerant within the evaporator, a vessel floating in the accumulationin the evaporator for collecting oil separating by gravity, and meansfor removing the collected oil and gasified refrigerant from theevaporator.

17. In a mechanical refrigerating system, a fiuid circulating within thesystem comprising liquid refrigerant and oil of relatively differentspecific gravities and adapted to separate by gravitation, an evaporatorhaving an inlet and adapted to retain an accumulation of refrigerant andoil, automatic con trol means for admitting the refrigerant and oil tothe evaporator to maintain substantially constant the level of therefrigerant within the evaporator, a vessel within the evaporator forcollecting oil separating by gravitation from the accumulation therein,and means for removing the gasified refrigerant and the oil in thevessel from the evaporator. I

18. In a mechanical refrigerating system, a H id circulating within saidsystem comprising liquid refrigerant and oil of relatively differentspecific gravities and adapted to separate by gravitation, an evaporatorhaving an inlet andadapted to retain an accumulation of refrigerant andoil, automatic control means for admitting the refrigerant and oil tothe evaporator tomaintain substantially constant the level of therefrigerant within the evaporator, means for removing oil from theaccumulation as it separates bygravit-ation, and suction meansforremoving the separated oil and gasified refrigerant from theevaporator.

19. In a mechanical refrigerating system, a fluid circulating Within thesystem comprising liquid refrigerant and 011 of relativelydifferentspecific gravities and adapted to separate by (gravitation, anevaporator having an inlet an adapted to retain an accumulation ofrefrigerant and oil, automatic control means for admitting therefrigerant and oil to the evaporator to maintain substantially constantthe level of the refrigerant within the evaporator, means inthemvaporator collecting oil as it rises above the refrigerant level intheaccumulation, and suction means for removing the collected oilandgasified refrigerant from the evaporator.

20. In a mechanical refrigerating system,

a fluid circulating within the system com'prisin liquid refrigerant andoil of relatively di erent specific gravities and adapted to separate bygravitation, an evaporator having an inlet and adapted to retain anaccumulation of refrigerant and oil, automatic con trol means foradmitting the refrigerant and oil to the evaporator to maintainsubstantially constant the level of the refrigerant within the evaorator, a vessel floating in the accumulation in the eva orator forcollecting oil separating from t e accumulation by ravitation, andsuction means communicating with the vessel for removing the collectedoil and gasified refrigerant from the evaporator. I 1 21; In amechanical refrigerating system, of the compressor-condenser-evaporatortype, in which refrigerant and oil circulate together in cycle, anevaporator, in which a constant quantity of liquid refri erant and oilare retained in a single accumu ation, and an outlet conduit leading-tothe compressor and extending into the evaporator in relation to thefluid accumulation to permit the compressor to withdraw both oil andgasified refrigerant from'the evaporator by suction. 22. In a mechanicalrefrigerating system, a fluid circulating within the system comprisingliquid refrigerant and oil of relatively different specific gravitiesand adapted to separate by gravitation, an evaporator having an inletand adapted to retain a single accumulation of refrigerant and oil,automatic control means for admitting the refrigerantand oil to theevaporator to maintain constant the level of the refrigerant within theevaporator, a vessel in the evaporator for collecting oil separating byravitation from the accumulation, and a tu e de= pending into the vesselthrough which the oil thereinand gasified refrigerant are removed" fromthe evaporator.

23. In a mechanical refrigerating system, an evaporator having arefrigerant inlet opening and adapted to contain a body of liquidrefrigerant and oil adapted to separate by gravitation, a tube extendinginto said evaporator and provided with an o ening therein for producingoil and gasi ed refrigerant therefrom, and means for maintaining thetube opening in aplane'below the liquid body in a segregated zone.

24. In mechanical refrigerating system of thecompressor-condenser-evaporator type, in which refrigerant travels in acycle, the method of controlling the refrigerant in the low pressureside comprising, maintainin a substantially constant body of liquidrefrigerant in the evaporator, and removing the refrigerant separatingfrom and rising above the liquid body through a shielded zone in theevaporatorinfluencing vaporization of liquid particles, and removing thegasified refrigerant from the shielded zone to the exterior of theevaporator.

25. In a mechanical refrigerating system of thecompressor-condenser-evaporator ty e through which refrigerant travelsin a cyc e, the method of controlling the refrigerant in the lowpressure side of the system comprising maintaining a substantiallyconstant body of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator,

and removing suspended refrigerant rising above the liquid body in asinuous route I through the evaporator substantially shieldmaintained anoutlet tube rojectin into the evaporator for the asifie refrigerant, andmeans providing-a s ielded zone around the outlet tube in which liquidrefrigerant in suspension passes before entering the outlet tube.

28. In a mechanical refrigerating system in which refrigerant travels incycle, an evaporator in which a body of liquid refrigerant ismaintained, a vessel in the evaporator communicating with the space inthe evaporator above the liquid body, and a refrigerant outlet tpbeextending downwardly into the vesse 29. In a mechanical refrigeratingsystem i in which refrigerant travels in cycle, an eva orator in which asubstantially constant bo y of liquid refrigerant is maintained, a.vessel in the evaporator floating in the liquid body and communicatingwith the space above the liquid refrigerant, and an outlet tube extendininto the vessel.

30. n a refrigeratin system of the compressor-condenser-flooed-evaporator t pe through which oil and refrigerant travel in c cle,the evaporator having an open-topped oating vessel therein, the methodof controlling the relation of the oil and the refrigerant in theirtravel through the evaporator, comprisin moving oil gathering on top ofthe liqui refrigerant in the evaporator over the edge of the vessel, andremoving oil inthe vessel and vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator.

31. In a mechanical refrigerating system in which oil and refrigeranttravel in cycle, an evaporator in which'a substantially constant body ofliquid refrigerant is maintained, an open-topped vessel within theevaporator and pivoted therein at one end to float on the body of refrierant, the oil accumulating on the body 0 refrigerant moving over theedge of the vessel, and an outlet tube for the oil and refrigerantextending into the vessel and exteriorly of the evaporator. 32. In amechanical refrigerating system, a stationarily mounted evaporatorhaving 5 an outlet, and an inlet means for admitting liquid refrigerantand oil, a fluid disposed within said evaporator comprising liquidrefrigerant and oil of relatively different specific gravities, andautomatic control means for maintaining a substantially constantquantity of refrigerant and oil in a constant proportion within theevaporator.

33. In a refrigerating system of the compressor-condenser-evaporator tpe throu h which oil and refrigerant of di erent speci 'c gravitiestravel in cycle, the method of controlling the-relation of the oil andrefrigerant in their travel through the low pressure side of the systemcomprising automatically admitting oil and refrigerant into a singleaccumulation in the evaporator as required to maintain a substantiallyconstant quantity therein, then causing separation of the. refrigerantfrom the accumulation by vaporization, and then returning to thecompressor the vaporized refrigerant and oil in the same proportion asadmitted with the evaporated refrigerant.

34. In a mechanical refrigerating system 80 of thecompressor-condenser-evaporator type,

through which refrigerant circulates in cycle, the method of controllinthe refrigerant in the evaporator cham er, comprising maintaining a bodyof liquid re frigerant in the evaporator chamber, vapor-- izing liquidrefrigerant in the evaporator chamber and causing gasified refrigerantand liquid refrigerant articles to rise above the body in the cham er,creating a suction to to withdraw the va rized refrigerant in the s aceabove the Eddy from the evaporator c amber, and causin the liquidrefrigerant particles moving wit the outgoing gasified refrigerant totravel through a zone in the evaporator chamber so that they completelyvaporize before leaving the evaporator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th da ofApril, 1929. EDWARD T. %VILLIAMS.

